#baldurstag

Watching color bloom back over the formerly Shadow-Cursed Lands was a balm to the soul. The group made camp on top of a small hill that left the tree in the center of town visible over the canopy surrounding it, and every time Barry caught sight of it they smiled. A lingering, tangible reminder of having done an overwhelming good. They were far from done, of course, but it was hard to feel discouraged when there was a giant tree showing how much they’d already accomplished.

They woke early the next morning, already missing the actual beds from the inn as they stretched the stiffness from their muscles with a quiet groan. The sky was just light enough for visibility, and they sought out the tree again before they stood. It was almost going to be a disappointment when they reached the city and couldn’t see it any more.

Astarion was sitting at the edge of camp, leaned back on his elbows and watching the sky where pink was just starting to streak over the horizon. After a moment’s hesitation Barry walked over to join him. It was still new, this...whatever they had going on, and they were still coming to terms with the concept that they could insert themselves in his space and be welcomed.

Astarion glanced over as they settled next to him on the ground, his face shifting from surprise to a small, pleased smile that Barry mirrored after a moment.

“Didn’t think it was your watch,” they said. Astarion made a noncommittal noise, waving his hand towards where the rest of the group was still sleeping.

“The day-creatures need their beauty sleep. And anyway it’s not yours, either.”

“Just woke up.” Barry shrugged. They hadn’t been sure why – they’d been bone-deep tired when they finally got to rest, and falling asleep hadn’t been difficult at all. But now, sitting on the hill as color blossomed across the sky the same way it had flowed back into Reithwin, they felt a growing sense of anticipation in their chest – they were waiting for the sun.

There was a long enough silence that when Astarion spoke again Barry jumped a little in surprise, even with as quiet as Astarion’s voice was. “I was in the dark for so long. So damned long. I had only just gotten the sun back when the druid dragged us into that damned curse.” Astarion jerked a thumb over his shoulder to indicate Halsin, asleep in the camp behind them. “I guess I just didn’t want to miss it now that it’s back.”

“Yeah,” Barry murmured. “Yeah, I get that.”

“It’s nice.” Astarion was almost too quiet to be heard at all now, Barry just barely able to pick up the words. “To have someone to share the sun with.”

Something in Barry’s chest squeezed tightly. Almost without thinking, they reached across the space between them to lay their hand over Astarion’s. Astarion went stiff with surprise, but after a moment he turned his hand over to twine his fingers with Barry’s.